Heat Wave Beats Down on the Central Valley

July 11, 2012 12:36:51 AM PDT

Gene Haagenson | Mariana Jacob | Linda Mumma

FRESNO, Calif. --

The historic Meux Home was built in 1888 before electricity and air conditioning. So, how did folks back then keep cool&#63; Well, there were some cooling designs built in to these old houses, like big wrap around porches and window shutters. But by around the turn of the century the folks who lived in Downtown Fresno were able to just step outside, get on a trolley and head to the beach.